Clinton Healthcare Plan Preview
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Prescription drug epedemic in America
For the first time, it appears that more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems, a study shows.
The most widely used drugs are those to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol - problems often linked to heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
Experts say the data reflect not just worsening public health but better medicines for chronic conditions and more aggressive treatment by doctors. For example, more people are now taking blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medicines because they need them, said Dr. Daniel W. Jones, president of the American Heart A$$ociation
In addition, there is the pharmaceutical industry's relentless advertising. With those factors unlikely to change, doctors say the proportion of Americans on chronic medications can only grow.
Americans buy much more medicine per person than any other country - 51 percent of American children and adults were taking one or more prescription drugs for a chronic condition, up from 50 percent the previous four years and 47 percent in 2001. Most of the drugs are taken daily.
The biggest jump in use of chronic medications was in the 20- to 44-year-old age group - adults in the prime of life - where it rose 20 percent over the six years. That was mainly due to more use of drugs for depression, diabetes, asthma, attention-deficit disorder and seizures. About 1.2 million American children now are taking pills for Type 2 diabetes, sleeping troubles and gastrointestinal problems such as heartburn.
Antidepressant use in particular jumped among teens and working-age women. Doctors attributed that to more stress in daily life and to family 'doctors,' including 'pediatricians,'being more comfortable prescribing newer antidepressants. For the first time, it appears that more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic he... more -
Co-payments for expensive drugs on the rise
Many health insurers are adopting a new prescription plan that charges patients a certain percentage of the price for high-priced drugs. Insurers claim that this keeps premiums low, but many of these drugs are used to treat relatively common conditions and lack generic alternatives. Under this plan, patients can end up paying thousands of dollars a month on prescription medications. Many health insurers are adopting a new prescription plan that charges patients a certain percentage of the price for high-priced drug... more
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Walmart: low prices and equal opportunity healthcare
A Missouri woman who suffered brain damage in a car crash must reimburse Wal-Mart $470,000 for medical expenses because of an insurance settlement.
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Debbie Shank's appeal. A federal appeals court in St. Louis had found that Shank must repay everything Wal-Mart's insurance plan paid, even though the settlement with the insurer of the truck driver who hit her falls short of that amount.
Shank, 52, now living in a nursing home, was a Wal-Mart employee at the time of the crash.
As if things couldn't get worse for Debbie, her 18 year old son recently died in combat in Iraq. A Missouri woman who suffered brain damage in a car crash must reimburse Wal-Mart $470,000 for medical expenses because of an insuranc... more
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